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GOVERNORS 

or 

ILLINOIS 

1818-1918 




Issued by the 

Illinois Centennial 

Commission 



THE GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS 
1818-1918 




Issued by the 

Illinois, Centennial Commission 






of ^• 
23 »»^8 



ILLINOIS DAY 

December 3, 1917. 

Music — Star Spangled Banner. 

Invocation — Rev. Frederic Siedenburg. 

Introduction of Governor Lowden, who will preside — Doctor 
Otto L. Schmidt, Chairman Illinois Centennial Commis- 
sion. 

Hon. Frank O. Lowden — The- Illinois Centennial. 

Hon. Charles S. Deneen — The Pioneer State. 

Centennial Poem — Mr. Wallace Rice. 

Hon. Joseph W. Fifer — Illinois in the Civil War. 

Hon. Edward F. Dunne — Illinois' Men of Eloquence. 

Hon. Richard Yates — Illinois To-day. 

Music — Illinois. 




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SHADRACH BOND, 

Governor of Illinois, 1818-1822. 
Pierre Menard, Lieutenant Governor. 

Shadrach Bond, the first Governor of Illinois was born at 
Fredericktown, Frederick County, Maryland, November 24, 
1773. He came to Illinois in 1794 and for a time resided 
with his uncle, Shadrach Bond, Sr., a veteran of the Revolu- 
tionary War, in what is now Monroe County but was then a 
part of St. Clair County. Later he engaged in farming at 
New Design. 

On November 2 7, 1 8 1 0, he was married at Nashville, 
Tennessee, to Miss Achsah Bond, a distant relative. 

In May, 1805, Mr. Bond was elected to fill a vacancy in 
the Indiana territorial assembly. Illinois was then embraced 
in Indiana territory, but the two states were separated in 1 809, 
and Mr. Bond took an active part in this legislation. 

At the outbreak of the War of 1812, he enlisted as a pri- 
vate and by gallant service, rose to the rank of colonel. The 
same year, he was elected to Congress as the first territorial 
delegate from Illinois, and he left the army to enter Congress, 
serving in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses, from De- 
cember 3, 1 8 1 2 to October 3, 1814. He was appointed re- 
ceiver of public money for the territory of Illinois in 1814 and 
removed to Kaskaskia to take charge of this office. 

When Illinois was admitted to the Federal Union as a 
State, Shadrach Bond was elected its first Governor. He was 
inaugurated at Kaskaskia, October 6, 1818. 

Governor Bond died at his residence near Kaskaskia, 
April 12, 1832. He is buried at Chester, Illinois, where the 
State has erected a modest monument. 

Very little has been written about the life and services of 
Governor Bond. Kinnie A. Ostewig of Lee County has writ- 
ten a sketch of his life which will be published by the State 
Historical Society. 




Ct^U\rcU^ ^^^^irt^ 



EDWARD COLES, 1822-1826. 

Adolphvxs F. Hubbard, Lieutenant Governor. 

Edward Coles was born December 15, 1786, in Albe- 
marle County, Virginia. He was educated at Hampton Sid- 
ney College and William and Mary College. 

He was the private secretary of President James Madison, 
from 1 8 1 to 1816, who in 1816 sent him to Russia as a spe- 
cial messenger on an important diplomatic mission. In 1815, 
Mr. Coles made a visit to Illinois, and another in 1818. He 
left his Virginia home April 1, 1819, having been appointed 
Register of the Land Office at Edwardsville, Illinois. He 
brought with him a number of slaves whom he had inherited, 
and came to Edwardsville, Madison County. When on the 
way to Illinois he set his slaves free when he reached free terri- 
tory. This act caused him endless embarrassment and annoy- 
ance during his subsequent life in Illinois. In this important 
office he made many acquaintances, and friends. He was 
elected Governor of the State in 1822. 

During his term of office occurred the great struggle to 
amend the Constitution of the State of Illinois and make it a 
slave State. This was one of the most momentous contests 
in the history of the State. The election to decide the ques- 
tion as to w^hether or not a convention should be held for 
the purpose of amending the Constitution in order to legalize 
slavery in Illinois was held August 6, 1824. The vote was 
against the holding of the convention, and to Governor Coles 
is due in a large measure the success of the Anti-Slavery party, 
and the credit for keeping Illinois a free State. During the 
term of office of Governor Coles a State House was built at 
Vandalia, the new Capital. Governor Coles wrote a history 
of the Ordinance of 1 787, which was published during his 
term of office. 

In 1833 he removed to Philadelphia. On November 28, 
1833, he married Miss Sally Logan Roberts of Philadelphia. 
He died in that city July 7, 1 868. 

A life of Governor Coles by Hon. E. B. Washburne pre- 
pared for the Chicago Historical Society, was published in 
1882. It is a history of the life of Governor Coles and of the 
important political controversy of the period. The Illinois 
State Historical Society expects to reprint this book during the 
Centennial year. 




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NINIAN EDWARDS, 1826-1830. 

William Kinney, Lieutenant Governor. 

Ninian Edwards, Territorial Governor, 1809-1818, was 
born in Montgomery County, Maryland, March 1 7, 1 775. He 
was educated by private tutors and at Dickinson College at 
Carlysle, Pennsylvania. He was sent by his father in 1 794 to 
purchase and improve lands in the new state of Kentucky. 

In the years 1 796-98, he represented Nelson County in 
the Kentucky legislature; licensed to practice law in 1798; in 
1802, appointed Major in the Kentucky Militia; 1803, Circuit 
Court Judge. In 1 804 he was elected Judge of the Court of 
Appeals. In 1 808 elected Chief Justice of Kentucky. It was 
while serving in the last named office that he was appointed 
by President Madison, Governor of the New Territory of Illi- 
nois, April 24, 1809, and held the office until the admission of 
the State in 1818. 

When the first General Assembly of the State of Illinois 
convened at Kaskaskia, Governor Edwards was elected to the 
United States Senate for the short term of two years. Two 
years later he was elected for the full term of six years. He 
resigned his seat in the United States Senate in 1 824, to accept 
an appointment by President Monroe as United States Minister 
to Mexico. In 1826 he was elected Governor of the State of 
Illinois. His method of campaigning differed from that of the 
usual pioneer candidate. He traveled over the State attended 
by his colored servant, and the people whom it was supposed 
would be driven away by his aristocratic appearance were 
really attracted to him and deemed it an honor to support 
"such an elegant gentleman." 

Edwards County, and Edwardsville, the county seat of 
Madison County, were named in his honor. 

Governor Edwards died of cholera, at Belleville, July 
20, 1833. 

Governor Edwards was married in 1803, in Kentucky, to 
Miss Elvira Lane. 

An interesting account of the Life and Times of Ninian 
Edwards, by his son, Ninian Wirt Edwards was published in 
Springfield in 1870. The Edwards Papers, by his son Ninian 
Wirt Edwards, edited by E. B. Washburne, were published as 
the Chicago Historical Society's Collections, Vol. Ill, in 1 884. 




(^yyc>\yiyu OZk-.-t^y^/n-^'Tl./:^ 



JOHN REYNOLDS, 1830-1834. 

Zadoc Casey, Lieutenant Governor. 
William L. D. Ewing, Lieutenant Governor. 

John Reynolds was born in Montgomery County, Penn- 
sylvania, February 26, I 788. His parents removed to Ten- 
nessee near the present city of Knoxville, and from there to 
Illinois in 1 800. The boy John, lived with his parents in 
Southern Illinois, until 1 809, and then for two years attended 
college near Knoxville, Tennessee. During the War of 1812 
he was a member of a company of Rangers that took part in 
campaigns against the Indians. This service gave him the 
nick-name of "The Old Ranger." 

In 1 8 1 4 he opened a law office at Cahokia. On August 
22, 1815, John Reynolds was appointed Judge Advocate of 
the Second Regiment. He was Justice of the Supreme Court 
of Illinois, October 8, 1818, to January 19, 1825, serving as 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1822 to 1825. He 
represented St. Clair County in the Fifth, and Sixth General 
Assemblies 1 826 to 1 830. He was Governor of Illinois Decem- 
ber 6, 1830 to November 17, 1834. Member of Congress, 
1834-1837; also served in Congress 1839-43. He was again 
elected a Representative from St. Clair County in the General 
Assembly, serving from 1846 to 1848, served again as Repre- 
sentative from 1852 to '54, and was Speaker of the House of 
Representatives. He married in 1817, Mrs. Catherine Du- 
buque Manegle, a daughter of Julian Dubuque. His second 
marriage occurred in May, 1836 to Miss Sarah Wilson at 
Georgetown, D. C. 

Governor Reynolds died at Belleville, Illinois, May 8, 
1865. Among the writings of Reynolds may be mentioned 
Pioneer History of Illinois, 1852, Adventures of John Kelly, 
185 3, Sketches published 1854. He published The Eagle, a 
weekly Democratic paper at Belleville in 1854. "My Own 
Times," 1856. The School Advocate, 1856. Friendship's 
Offering, 1 858-9. "The Star of Egypt," a weekly newspaper, 
1859. The "Balm of Gilead," 1860. 




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WILLIAM L. D. EWING, 1834. 

William Lee Davidson Ewing, (1834, 15 days), was 
born in Paris, Kentucky, August 31, 1795. Came to Illinois 
about the time it became a State. He was United States 
Receiver of Public Money at Vandalia in 1823. Was a gen- 
eral of Militia in the Black Hawk War. He was a member of 
the General Assembly and Speaker of the House during the 
term of the Seventh General Assembly, December 6, 1830, to 
December 3, 1832. William L. D. Ewing has the distinction 
of holding the office of Governor of Illinois for a shorter time 
than any other Governor of the State. Mr. Ewing was a 
member of the Illinois State Senate in 1833 and 1834. Lieu- 
tenant Governor Zadoc Casey resigned in 1833 to take a seat 
in Congress, and Mr. Ewing was elected President of the Sen- 
ate. When Governor Reynolds resigned on November 1 7, 
1834, by virtue of the office which he then held, Mr. Ewing 
became the Governor of the State and held the office until the 
inauguration of Governor Duncan on December 3, 1834. He 
was elected United States Senator on December 29, 1835, to 
fill the vacancy caused by the death of Elias Kent Kane. Fail- 
ing of re-election to the Senatorship in 1837, he was returned 
to the Illinois House of Representatives from his own district 
in 1838, as he was again in 1840, at each session being chosen 
Speaker over Abraham Lincoln, who was the Whig candidate. 
Dropping out of the Legislature at the close of his term, we find 
him at the beginning of the next session (December, 1842) in 
his old place as Clerk of the House of Representatives but, 
before the close of the session, March, 1 843, he was appointed 
Auditor of Public Accounts as successor to James Shields, who 
had resigned. While serving as Auditor, Mr. Ewing died at 
Springfield, March 25, 1846. 

Mr. Ewing was married at Vandalia, Illinois, May 3, 1 82 7, 
to Miss Caroline L. Berry, daughter of Elijah C. Berry, who 
settled in Vandalia in 1819. 






I 




JOSEPH DUNCAN, 1834-1838. 

Alexander M. Jenkins, Lieutenant Governor. 

Joseph Duncan, Governor of Illinois, 1834-1838, was 
born at Paris, Kentucky, February 22, 1 794. Emigrated to 
Illinois in 1818, having previously served with distinction in 
the War of 1812, and been presented with a sword by vote of 
Congress, for gallant conduct in the defense of Fort Stephen- 
son. He was commissioned Major-General of Illinois Militia 
in 1823, and elected State Senator from Jackson County in 
1824. He served in the lower House of Congress from 182 7 
to 1834, when he resigned his seat, and was elected Governor 
of Illinois the same year. He was much interested in the 
cause of education and was the author of the first free school 
law of Illinois, adopted in 1825. He was the Whig candidate 
for Governor in 1842, when he met his first political defeat. 

The removal of the State Capital to Springfield occurred 
during his administration and much of the legislation for the 
famous internal improvement scheme was passed during his 
term as Governor. 

Governor Duncan was married in Washington, D. C, on 
May 1 3, 1828, to Miss Elizabeth Caldwell Smith of New York 
City, whose acquaintance he made when both were guests at a 
dinner given to a few friends by President John Quincy Adams. 
He died in Jacksonville, Illinois, January 15, 1844. 

A life of Governor Duncan by his daughter, Mrs. Julia 
Duncan Kirby was published in 1888 as No. 29 of the Fergus 
Historical Series. 





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THOMAS CARLIN, 1838-1842. 

Stillson H. Anderson, Lieutenant Governor. 

Thomas Carlin was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, 
July 18, 1 789. In 1 793 he moved with his parents to Shelby 
County, Kentucky. In 1803 the family emigrated to St. 
Louis County, Missouri, where the father died, leaving a widow 
and seven children. Thomas being the oldest, his educational 
advantages were meagre, but he was a student and by earnest 
effort acquired a fair education. In 1812, he removed to Illi- 
nois; June 3, 1812, he enlisted in the United States Army as a 
private; in the campaign to Lake Peoria under Governor 
Edwards. In 1813, he served under General Howard in the 
district between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. In 1 8 1 8 he 
removed to Green County. Carrollton, the county seat, was 
laid out on his land. Carlinville, the county seat of Macoupin 
County was named in his honor. From 1824-1832 he was 
a State Senator. In 1832 he was a Captain of Spies during 
the Black Hawk War; 1834-38 was Register of land office at 
Quincy. He was elected Governor of Illinois in 1838 and 
served in that high office from December 7, 1838 to Decem- 
ber 8, 1842. From 1849-51 he was a Representative from 
Greene County in the General Assembly of the State. The 
Supreme Court of the State was reorganized during his admin- 
istration. Thomas Carlin was married at Edwardsville Junc- 
tion in 1814 to Miss Rebecca Huitt. He died at Carrollton, 
Illinois, February 14, 1852. The State of Illinois has erected 
a monument to his memory at Carrollton. 




t<,.^2</ 



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THOMAS FORD, 1842-1846. 

John Moore, Lieutenant Governor. 

Thomas Ford was born at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, De- 
cember 5, 1800. He accompanied his mother (then a widow) 
to Missouri in 1 804. The family soon after located in Monroe 
County, Illinois. Largely through the efforts and aid of his 
half-brother, George Forquer, he was enabled to attend Tran- 
sylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky, and he also ob- 
tained a professional education. He studied law in the office 
of Daniel P. Cook, and became a successful lawyer. Early in 
life he entered the field of politics. He served as a Judge of 
the Circuit Court for the Northern part of the State from 1835 
to 1837, and was again commissioned a Circuit Judge for the 
Galena Circuit in 1839; in 1841 was elevated to the bench of 
the State Supreme Court, but resigned the following year to 
accept the nomination for Governor. It was during his admin- 
istration, that the Mormon agitation in Illinois occurred, and 
also the beginning of the Mexican War. Governor Ford was 
the author of a valuable history of Illinois, 1818-1847, pub- 
Hshed in 1854, after his death. 

Ford County, established February 1 7, 1859, was named 
in his honor. 

Governor Ford was married at Edwardsville, Illinois, June 
12, 1828, to Miss Frances Hambaugh. His death occurred 
at Peoria, Illinois, November 3, 1850. 

The State of Illinois has erected a monument to his mem- 
ory in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria, Illinois. 




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AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH, 1846-1853. 

Joseph B. Wells, Lieutenant Governor. 
William McMurtry, Lieutenant Governor. 

Augustus C. French was born at Hill, Merrimack County, 
N. H., August 2, 1808. He attended Dartmouth College for 
a time but did not graduate. In 1831 he was admitted to the 
bar. He emigrated to Albion, Illinois, and in 1832 he re- 
moved to Paris, Illinois, where he built up a good law practice. 
He was a Representative in the General Assembly of the State, 
1 836-40. In 1 832 he was appointed receiver of public money 
at Palestine. In 1 844 he was presidential elector on the 
Democratic ticket. In 1846 he was elected Governor of 
Illinois and served from December 9, 1 846, to January 1 0, 
1853. He was appointed bank commissioner by Governor 
Matteson in 1 858. He was a candidate for the office of Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction, but was defeated. He became 
professor of law in McKendree College, Lebanon, and was 
a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1 862. Gover- 
nor French was re-elected under the Constitution of I 848, and 
was the first Governor of Illinois to be re-elected. 

Governor French married Miss Lucy M. Southworth about 
1842. 

The Mexican War had begun in the administration of 
Governor Ford, but French was Governor during most of the 
period of the War. During the administration of Governor 
French the new Constitution was framed which was ratified 
by the people in 1848. 

Governor French died at Lebanon, Illinois, September 4, 
1864. 




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JOEL ALDRICH MATTESON, 1853-1857. 

Gustavus Koerner, Lieutenant Governor. 

Joel Aldrich Matteson was born at Watertown, N. Y., 
August 8, 1 808. In early life he was employed in a store in 
Prescott, Ontario, and later taught school and engaged in busi- 
ness in Brownsville, N. Y. In 1831 he went South and began 
work as foreman on the first railroad in South Carolina. In 
1834 he removed to Illinois where he became a contractor on 
the Illinois and Michigan Canal. He engaged in manufactur- 
ing at Joliet. From I 842-5 3 he was a State Senator. In 1855 
he was defeated by Lyman Trumbull for the United States 
Senatorship. He traveled extensively in Europe after retiring 
from office. He resided in later life in Chicago, and he was 
lessee and president of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. 

The Bloomington Convention of 1856, Kansas-Nebraska 
agitation, and the reduction of the State debt, were some of 
the important events which occurred during his administration. 

Governor Matteson was married at Watertown, N. Y., 
October 7, 1832, to Miss Mary Fish. His death occurred in 
Chicago, January 31, 1873. 



WILLIAM H. BISSELL, 1857-1860. 

John Wood, Lieutenant Governor. 

William H. Bissell the first Republican Governor of the 
State of Illinois, was born near Painted Post, Steuben County, 
N. Y., April 25, 1811. He received a fair education, grad- 
uated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia in 1835. He 
then removed to Monroe County, Illinois, where he practiced 
his profession as a physician. In I 840-42 he was a represen- 
tative in the General Assembly. He studied law and was 
admitted to the bar, and practiced at Belleville. In 1 844 was 
elected prosecuting attorney of St. Clair County. From June 
20, 1 846 to June 1 8, 1 847, he served as Colonel of the Second 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the War with Mexico and served 
with distinction, especially at Buena Vista. From 1848-53 he 
represented the First Illinois District in Congress and was a 
conspicuous and valuable member. He was challenged by 
Jefferson Davis to fight a duel on account of the fact that Mr. 
Bissell in a speech in Congress resented the attitude of South- 
ern members who claimed for Southern troops the entire credit 
for the successes of the Mexican war. The duel was prevented 
by the intervention of President Taylor the father-in-law of 
Jefferson Davis. On May 29, 1856, Mr. Bissell was nom- 
inated for Governor of Illinois by the coalition of the Whig 
party with the Anti-Nebraska Democrats. This was the first 
Republican State Convention in Illinois. He was elected and 
was inaugurated January 12, 185 7, and continued in office 
until his death, March 1 8, 1 860. Governor Bissell is the 
only governor who died in office. He is buried in Oak Ridge 
Cemetery. Springfield, where the State has erected a monument 
to his memory. 

Governor Bissell was married in 1839 to Miss Emily 
James. His second wife was Elizabeth Kane, the daughter of 
Elias Kent Kane. 




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JOHN WOOD, 1860-1861. 

Thomas A. Marshall, Lieutenant Governor. 

John Wood, Lieutenant Governor and Governor, was 
born at Moravia, N. Y., December 20, 1 798, his father being a 
Revolutionary soldier who had served as Surgeon and Captain 
in the Army. At the age of 2 1 years young Wood removed 
to Illinois settling in what is now Adams County and building 
the first log cabin on the present site of Quincy. He was a 
member of the upper house of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth 
General Assemblies of Illinois, and was elected Lieutenant 
Governor in 1856 on the ticket with Governor Bissell and 
served out the unexpired term of the latter, who died in office. 
In February, 1861, he was appointed one of the five commis- 
sioners from Illinois to the "Peace Conference" at Washington, 
to consider methods for averting Civil War. 

The following May he was appointed Quartermaster- 
General for the State by Governor Yates and assisted most 
efficiently in fitting out the troops for the field. In June, 1 864, 
he was commissioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty- 
seventh Illinois Volunteers and was mustered out of service the 
following September. 

Governor Wood was married at Quincy, Illinois, January 
25, 1826, to Miss Ann M. Streeter. His second marriage to 
Mrs. Mary A. Holmes occurred June 6, 1865. 

He died at Quincy, Illinois, June 1 1, 1880. 

The citizens of Quincy erected a monument to his memory 
which was dedicated July 4, 1883. 

An excellent account of the military services of Governor 
Wood by Miss Cora F. Benneson was presented at the annual 
meeting of the Illinois State Historical Society, 1909, and is 
published in the Transactions of the Society for that year. 




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RICHARD YATES, 1861-1865. 

Francis A. Hoffman, Lieutenant Governor. 

Richard Yates, Civil War Governor of Illinois, was born 
in Warsaw, Kentucky, January 18, 1815. In 1831 he accom- 
panied his father to Illinois, the family settling first at Spring- 
field and later at Berlin, Sangamon County. He soon after 
entered Illinois College from which he graduated in 1835, and 
subsequently read law with Col. John J. Hardin at Jackson- 
ville, which thereafter was his home. On July 1 1, 1839, he 
was married to Miss Catherine Geers of Jacksonville. 

In 1 842 he was elected Representative in the Illinois Gen- 
eral Assembly from Morgan County, and was re-elected in 
1 844, and again in 1 848. In 1850 he was candidate for Con- 
gress from the Seventh Illinois District and elected over Major 
Thomas L. Harris, the previous incumbent, being the only 
Whig Representative in the Thirty-second Congress from Illi- 
nois. Two years later he was re-elected over John Calhoun, 
but was defeated in 1854, by his old opponent, Harris. He 
was one of the most vigorous opponents of the Kansas- 
Nebraska Bill in the Thirty-third Congress, and an early and 
earnest supporter of the movement for the organization of a 
new political party to resist the further extension of slavery. 
He was a member of the Bloomington Convention of 1856 
and was one of the vice-presidents of that body. 

In 1 860 he was elected Governor of lUinois on the ticket 
headed by Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, and, by 
his energetic support of the National Administration in the 
measures for the suppression of the Rebellion, won the sobri- 
quet of "the lUinois War Governor." In 1 865 he was elected 
United States Senator, serving until 1871. He died suddenly 
in St. Louis, November 2 7, 1873. 

He is buried in Diamond Grove Cemetery, Jacksonville, 
Ills. A sketch of the life and services of Governor Yates by 
his Ufelong friend Dr. William Jayne is published in the Trans- 
actions of the Illinois State Historical Society for 1902. 







(f^f^M^ 



RICHARD J. OGLESBY, 1865-1869; January 13, 1873- 
January 23, 1873; 1885-1889. 

William Bross, Lieutenant Governor, 1865-1869. 

John L. Beveridge, Lieutenant Governor, January, 1873. 

John C. Smith, Lieutenant Governor, 1885-1889. 

Richard J. Oglesby was born in Oldham County, Ken- 
tucky, July 25, 1824. He was left an orphan at the age of 
eight years; in 1836 he accompanied his uncle to Decatur, 
Illinois, where until 1 844, he worked at farming, carpentering 
and rope making. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar and 
began practice at Sullivan, Moultrie County. In 1846 he was 
commissioned a lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment Illinois Vol- 
unteers (Col. E. D. Baker's Regiment) and served through the 
Mexican war, taking part in the siege of Vera Cruz and the 
battle of Cerro Gordo. In 1 849 he graduated from the 
Louisville Law School. In 1859, Richard J. Oglesby married 
Miss Anna E. White of Decatur. In 1860 he was elected to 
the State Senate, but early in 1861 he resigned his seat to 
become the colonel of the Eighth Illinois Volunteers. Through 
gallantry, notably at Forts Henry and Donelson and at 
Corinth, he rose to the rank of Major-General. He was 
severely wounded in the battle of Corinth. He resigned his 
commission in the Army on account of disability in May, 1 864, 
and the following November was elected Governor of the 
State. In 1 872, he was again elected Governor, but, two weeks 
after his inauguration, in January, 1873, resigned to accept 
a seat in the United States Senate, to which he was elected 
by the Legislature of 1 873. In 1 884 he was elected Governor 
for the third time being the only man in the history of the 
State who so far has thus been honored. 

After the expiration of his last term as Governor he re- 
tired to his home at Elkhart, Logan County, where he devoted 
his attention to his private affairs and in the enjoyment of his 
family and friends. 

Governor Oglesby was married to Mrs. Emma Gillette 
Keays, at Elkhart, Illinois, November 18, 1873. 

He died at his home in Elkhart, April 24, 1899, and is 
buried in the cemetery at that place. 

Important events which occurred during the first adminis- 
tration of Governor Oglesby were the close of the Civil War 
and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. 



9 



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JOHN M. PALMER, 1869-1873. 

John Dougherty, Lieutenant Governor. 

John McAuley Palmer was born at Eagle Creek, Scott 
County, Kentucky, September 13, 1817, He came with his 
parents to Madison County, Illinois, in 1831. He entered 
Shurtleff College in 1835. He was admitted to the Bar in 
1839. In 1843 he was elected Probate Judge of Macoupin 
County. Mr. Palmer was married December 20, 1842, to 
Miss Malinda A. Neely, at Carlinville, Illinois. Mr. Palmer 
was a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1 847. 
He was elected to the State Senate in 1852 to fill a vacancy 
and was re-elected in 1 854. He was Chairman of the Conven- 
tion held in Bloomington, May 29, 1856, the first Republican 
State Convention in Illinois. Mr. Palmer was a delegate from 
Illinois to the Peace Convention which met in Baltimore, Feb- 
ruary 4, 1861. On the 15 th of May, 1861, Mr. Palmer took 
command as Colonel of the I 4th Illinois Volunteer Regiment. 
He was promoted to Brigadier General, December 21, 1861. 
He was appointed Major General November 29, 1863. Placed 
in command of the 1 4th Army Corps, succeeding General 
George H. Thomas. General Palmer was appointed by Mr. 
Lincoln, Commander of the Military Department of Kentucky, 
February 18, 1865, and served until April 1, 1866, but re- 
mained in the service of the United States until September 1 , 
1866. 

In 1 868, General Palmer was elected Governor of Illinois. 
During his administration the present Constitution of the State 
was framed. 

In 1 888, Governor Palmer was nominated for Governor 
by the Democratic party. In 1 89 1 he was elected to the 
United States Senate. In 1896 he was nominated by the 
National Democratic or Sound Money Democratic party for 
President of the United States. 

On April 4, 1 888, General Palmer married Mrs. Hannah 
Lamb Kimball of Springfield. 

General Palmer edited a history of the Bench and Bar of 
Illinois, and late in his life he wrote his personal reminiscences 
which were published under the title of Personal Recollections 
of John M. Palmer, The Story of an Earnest Life. 

General Palmer died at his home in Springfield, Septem- 
ber 25, 1900. He is buried at Carlinville. 



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JOHN LOWRIE BEVERIDGE, 1873-1877. 

John Early, President of the Senate and Acting Lieutenant 
Governor. 

Archibald A. Glenn, President of the Senate and Acting 
Lieutenant Governor. 

John Lowrie Beveridge succeeded to the office of Gover^ 
nor by the resignation of Richard J. Oglesby, January, 1873. 

John L. Beveridge was born in Greenwich, Washington 
County, New York, July 6, 1 824. He came to Illinois in I 842, 
and, after spending some two years in Granville Academy and 
Rock River Seminary, went to Tennessee, where he engaged 
in teaching, meanwhile studying law. Having been admitted 
to the bar in Tennessee he returned to Illinois in 1851, first 
locating at Sycamore, but three years later established himself 
in Chicago. During the first year of the war he assisted in 
raising the Eighth Regiment Illinois Cavalry, and was commis- 
sioned first as Captain and later. Major. Two years later be- 
came Colonel of the Seventeenth Cavalry, which he com- 
manded to the close of the war, being mustered out with the 
rank of brevet Brigadier General. After the war he held the 
office of sheriff of Cook County four years; in 1870 was 
elected to the State Senate, and, in the following year, Con- 
gressman-at-Large to succeed General John A. Logan, who had 
been elected to. the United States Senate. Colonel Beveridge 
resigned this office in January, 1873, having been elected Lieu- 
tenant Governor and a few weeks later succeeded to the Gover- 
norship by the election of Governor Oglesby to the United 
States Senate. In 1 88 I he was appointed by President Arthur, 
Assistant United States Treasurer at Chicago, serving until 
after the first election of Grover Cleveland. 

John Lowrie Beveridge was married in 1 848 to Miss 
Helen Judson. His death occurred in Hollywood, now a part 
of Los Angeles, California, May 3, 1910. 

He is buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago. 



SHELBY MOORE CULLOM, 1877-1883. 

Andrew Shuman, Lieutenant Governor. 
John M. Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor. 

Shelby Moore Cullom was born in Wayne County, Ken- 
tucky, November 22, 1829. His parents removed to Taze- 
well County, Illinois in 1830, where his father became a mem- 
ber of the Legislature, and attained prominence. 

He attended Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, 
teaching school a part of the time to earn the money to con- 
tinue his studies. He went to Springfield in 1853 to enter 
upon the study of law in the office of Stuart & Edwards, being 
admitted to the bar two years afterwards. He was almost 
immediately elected City Attorney of Springfield and in 1856 
was elected to the Twentieth General Assembly from Sanga- 
mon County. He was again elected in 1 860. In 1861 he was 
chosen Speaker of the House. In 1862 he was appointed by 
President Lincoln a member of the War Claims Commission at 
Cairo. Two years later ( 1864) he was a candidate for Con- 
gress, defeating his former preceptor, Hon. John T. Stuart. 
He was re-elected in 1 866, and again in 1 868, the latter year 
over Benjamin S. Edwards. He was elected to the Illinois 
House of Representatives in 1872, and in 1874. He was 
elected Speaker in 1873, and 1875. In 1876 was elected 
Governor, was re-elected in 1880, and in 1883 he was elected 
to the United States Senate and served as Senator continuously 
until 1913. 

After his term in the Senate expired he was appointed 
Chairman of the Lincoln Memorial Building Commission. 
Senator Cullom was married in December, 1855, to Miss Han- 
nah Fisher; his second marriage to Miss Julia Fisher occurred 
May 5, 1863. Governor Cullom wrote his personal recollec- 
tions which were published in book form in 1911, under the 
title of "Fifty Years of Public Service." 

Governor Cullom died in Washington, January 28, 1914. 

He is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Ills. 

A fine account of the life and services of Shelby M. Cul- 
lom by Mr. Henry A. Converse, of Springfield is published in 
the Transactions of the Historical Society for 1914. 





Tf^^ccd^^^i^ 



JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON, 1883-1885. 

William J. Campbell, President of the Senate and Acting 
Lieutenant Governor. 

John Marshall Hamilton was born in Union County, Ohio, 
May 28, 1847. When seven years of age, was brought to 
Illinois by his father, who settled on a farm in Marshall County. 
In 1864 (at the age of 17) he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Forty-first Illinois Volunteers — a 1 00-day regiment. After 
being mustered out, he matriculated at the Wesleyan (Illinois) 
University at Bloomington. He was admitted to the bar in 
1870, and was a successful practitioner. 

In 1876 he was elected State Senator from McLean 
County, and, in 1 880, Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with 
Governor Shelby M. Cullom. On February 6, 1883, he was 
inaugurated Governor to succeed Governor Cullom, w^ho had 
been chosen United States Senator. 

In 1 884 he was a candidate for the gubernatorial nomina- 
tion before the Republican State Convention at Peoria, but 
that body selected Ex-Governor and Senator, Richard J. 
Oglesby to head the State ticket. 

Governor Hamilton married in 1871, Miss Helen Wil- 
liams. His death occurred in Chicago, September 23, 1905. 
He is buried in Oakwoods Cemetery, Chicago. 




.M 



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JOSEPH W. FIFER, 1889-1893. 

Lyman B. Ray, Lieutenant Governor. 

Joseph W. Fifer was born at Staunton, Virginia, October 
28, 1840; in 1857 he accompanied his father to McLean 
County, Illinois, and worked at the manufacture and laying of 
brick. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a 
private in the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and was danger- 
ously wounded at the assault on Jackson, Mississippi. In 
1863, on the healing of the wound, disregarding the advice of 
family and friends, he rejoined his regiment. At the close 
of the war, when about 25 years of age he entered the Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington, where by dint of hard work 
and frugality, while supporting himself in part by manual labor, 
he secured his diploma in 1868. He at once began the study 
of law, and, soon after his admission, entered upon a practice 
which proved both successful and lucrative. He was elected 
corporation counsel of Bloomington in 1871 and State's At- 
torney for McLean County in 1872, holding the latter office, 
through election until 1 880, when he was chosen State Senator, 
serving in the Thirty-second and Thirty-third General Assem- 
blies. In 1 888 he was nominated and elected Governor on 
the Republican ticket, but, in 1 892 was defeated for re-election 
by John P. Altgeld, the Democratic nominee, though running 
in advance of the National ticket and the other candidates on 
the State ticket. 

Governor Fifer was married to Miss Gertrude Lewis, June 
15. 1870. 

He resides with his family at Bloomington. 




^C/^;t^^6 



JOHN PETER ALTGELD, 1893-1897. 

Joseph B. Gill, Lieutenant Governor. 

John Peter Altgeld was born in Felters, near Cologne, 
Germany, December 30, 1847, and in boyhood accompanied 
his parents to America, the family settling in Ohio. At the 
age of 1 6 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth 
Ohio Infantry, serving until the close of the war. His legal 
education was acquired at St. Louis and Savannah, Missouri, 
and from 1 874 to '78 he was prosecuting attorney for Andrew 
County in that state. 

In 1878 he removed to Chicago, where he devoted him- 
self to professional work. In 1884 he led the Democratic 
forlorn hope as candidate for Congress in a strong Republican 
Congressional district, and in 1 886 was elected to the bench 
of the Superior Court of Cook County, but resigned in August, 
1 89 1 . The Democratic State Convention of 1 892 nominated 
him for Governor and he was elected the following November, 
being the first foreign-born citizen to hold that office in the 
history of the State, and the first Democrat elected since 1852. 
In 1896 he was a prominent factor in the Democratic National 
Convention which nominated William J. Bryan for President, 
and was also a candidate for re-election to the office of Gov- 
ernor, but was defeated by John R. Tanner, the Republican 
nominee. 

Governor Altgeld was married in Chicago in 1877 to 
Miss Emma Ford. His death occurred in Joliet, Illinois, 
March 12, 1902. He is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chi- 
cago. The State erected a monument to Governor Altgeld 
in Lincoln Park, Chicago, 1915. 

Governor Altgeld wrote many addresses and newspaper 
articles on social, political and economic questions. He also 
published several books on like subjects, among them: The 
Cost of Something for Nothing, Live Questions, including our 
Penal Machinery and its Victims. 







.r 




JOHN R. TANNER, 1897-1901. 

William A. Northcott, Lieutenant Governor. 

John Riley Tanner was born in Warrick County, Indiana, 
April 4, 1 844, and was brought to Southern Illinois in boyhood 
where he grew up on a farm in the vicinity of Carbondale, en- 
joying only such educational advantages as were afforded by 
the common schools; in 1863 at the age of 19, he enlisted in 
the Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteers, serving until June, 1865, 
when he was transferred to the Sixty-first and finally mustered 
out in September following. All the male members of Gov- 
ernor Tanner's family were soldiers in the War of the Rebel- 
lion, his father dying in prison at Columbus, Mississippi, one 
of his brothers suffering the same fate from wounds at Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, and another brother dying in hospital at Pine 
Bluff, Arkansas. On December 25, 1866, Mr. Tanner married 
Miss Lauretta Ingraham, daughter of Barton Ingraham, of 
Clay County, Illinois. 

Returning from the war Mr. Tanner established himself 
in business as a farmer in Clay County, later engaging success- 
fully in the milling and lumber business as a partner of his 
brother. The public positions held by him, include those of 
Sheriff of Clay County (1870-72), Clerk of the Circuit Court 
(1872-1876) and State Senator (1880-83). During the lat- 
ter year he received the appointment of United States Marshal 
for the Southern District of Illinois, serving until after the 
accession of President Cleveland in 1885. In 1886 he was 
elected State Treasurer; in 1891 was appointed by Governor 
Fifer, a member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, 
and in 1 892 received the appointment of Assistant United 
States Treasurer at Chicago, continuing in that office until De- 
cember, 1893. For ten years (1874-1884) he was a member 
of the Republican State Central Committee, in 1 894, he was 
chosen Chairman of the Committee and conducted the cam- 
paign. In 1896 he received the nomination of his party for 
Governor and was elected over John P. Altgeld, his Democra- 
tic opponent. 

Governor Tanner was married December 30, 1896, to 
Miss Cora Edith English. He died May 23, 1901, at Spring- 
field, Illinois. He is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. 




^^^^^A/f^.<tLy 



RICHARD YATES, 1901-1905. 

William A. Northcott, Lieutenant Governor. 

Richard Yates was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, Decem- 
ber 12, 1860, the son of Richard and Catherine Geers Yates. 
Richard Yates, the elder, was elected Governor in November, 
1860, and his son Richard was born December 12, between 
the time of the election and the inauguration, which was in 
January, 1861. Richard Yates, Jr., after receiving his ele- 
mentary education in the public schools of his native city at 
thirteen years of age, entered Whipple Academy, the prepara- 
tory department of Illinois College and three years later ( 1 876) 
was admitted to the College proper, from which he graduated 
as class orator in 1 880. 

He then took a course in the law department of Michigan 
University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduated therefrom in 
1 884, and was immediately admitted to the bar in both Michi- 
gan and Illinois and soon thereafter to practice in the Circuit 
and Supreme Courts of the United States. For four years 
( 1 885-89) he served as City Attorney for the city of Jackson- 
ville; in 1892 was the nominee on the Republican ticket for 
Congress for the State-at-large, but was defeated, though re- 
ceiving a larger vote in the State than President Harrison; in 
1894 was elected Judge of Morgan County, but resigned in 
1897 to accept the position of Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Springfield District, continuing in this position until 
after his nomination for governor on the Republican ticket at 
Peoria on May 9, 1 900, just forty years to a day after the same 
honor had been conferred upon his father at Decatur in May, 
1 860. In 1 904 he was a candidate for re-nomination before 
the convention which met at Springfield in May of that year. 
After a prolonged contest in the convention. Governor Yates 
withdrew and Charles S. Deneen was nominated. On his 
retirement from the governorship in January, 1 904, Governor 
Yates took up his residence in Springfield. 

Richard Yates was appointed by Governor Dunne a mem- 
ber of the Board of Public Utilities. 

He was married to Miss Helen Wadsworth in Jackson- 
ville, October 28, 1 888. He is now Assistant Attorney Gen- 
eral of the State of Illinois. 



CHARLES SAMUEL DENEEN, 1905-1913. 

Lawrence Y. Sherman, Lieutenant Governor. 
John G. Oglesby, Lieutenant Governor. 

Charles S. Deneen was born in Edwardsville, Illinois, May 
4, 1863. He is a representative of one of the oldest families 
of Illinois. Governor Deneen received his early education in 
the public schools of Lebanon and graduated from McKendree 
College in 1882. He taught school in Jasper and Madison 
Counties during which time he studied law. In 1 885 he went 
to Chicago and completed his legal studies in the Union Col- 
lege of Law. He taught for a time in the public night schools 
of Chicago, 

He early became interested in local politics in Chicago 
and he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Cook 
County. In conducting the duties of this office Mr. Deneen 
achieved a high reputation for ability and sound judgment. 
In 1893 he was elected to the General Assembly of the State. 
In 1 904 he was nominated for governor of the State by the 
Republican party after a prolonged contest in the State Con- 
vention, memorable in the annals of the Republican party as 
the "Deadlock Convention." He was elected and was inaug- 
urated in January, 1905. He was re-elected in 1908. 

During Governor Deneen's administration much import- 
ant and constructive legislation was enacted, among which may 
be mentioned the Direct Primary Law, Municipal Courts for 
Chicago, the creation of a State Highway Commission and 
many other measures of great importance. 

Mr. Deneen married Miss Bina Day Maloney, of Mt. Car- 
roll, Illinois, May 10, 1 89 I . Governor Deneen resides with 
his family in Chicago. 




a:^ 




EDWARD FITZSIMMONS DUNNE, 1913-1917. 

Barratt O'Hara, Lieutenant Governor. 

Edward F. Dunne was born at Waterville, Connecticut, 
October 12, 1853. He was one year old when his parents 
removed to Peoria, Illinois, where his father attained political 
and business prominence. 

His education was obtained in the public schools of Peoria 
and at Trinity College, University of Dublin, where he reached 
the position of honor man in his class, but graduation was de- 
nied him by his father's financial reverses which recalled him 
to Peoria. 

There he worked for a year in his father's mill, meanwhile 
reading law. In 1876 he began a systematic course in law in 
Chicago and two years later was admitted to the bar. 

For fifteen years he devoted himself to an ardent practice 
of his profession. He was associated during this period with 
many distinguished men among them Judge Scates and Con- 
gressman Hynes. 

In 1 892 he was elected to fill a vacancy on the Circuit 
bench of Cook County, and in 1 897 was re-elected to the same 
office and served until 1905. In that year he was elected 
Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1905 to 1907. 

His marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Kelly of Chicago took 
place August 16, 1881. 

Governor Dunne was nominated for Governor of Illinois 
by the Democratic party in 1912 and was elected in November 
of that year. 

Among the most important measures adopted during 
Governor Dunne's administration were the Deep Waterway 
Bill and the Woman's Suffrage Law. 

An account of the life and services of Governor Dunne 
written by his private secretary, William L. Sullivan, was pub- 
lished in 1916. 

Governor Dunne and his family reside in Chicago. 




I 



<J/1/C(m!10v-W3c/^ 



FRANK ORREN LOWDEN, 1917- 

John G. Oglesby, Lieutenant Governor. 

Frank Orren Lowden was born in Sunrise City, Minnesota, 
January 26, 1861. When he was seven years old his father 
removed to Point Pleasant, Hardin County, Iowa, where he 
purchased a farm. The son worked on the farm in the sum- 
mer, and attended school during the winter. At fifteen years 
of age he began to teach country schools and taught at Rough 
Woods and other places in Hardin County, Iowa. 

Frank O. Lowden took a partial course at the Iowa Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical College at Ames, Iowa. At the age 
of twenty he entered the freshman class of the State University 
at Iowa City, Iowa. Although obliged to remain away from 
the University during the Junior year he returned at the be- 
ginning of the Senior term and graduated as valedictorian in 
June, 1885. He became professor of Latin and Mathematics 
in Burlington High School, and taught one year. He removed 
to Chicago, where he obtained a position in the law office 
of Dexter, Herrick & Allen. 

In September, 1 886, he entered the Union College of Law 
now the Northwestern University Law School at Chicago. He 
was graduated in June, 1887, and actively practiced law until 
1902. 

Governor Lowden was Lieutenant Colonel, First Infantry, 
IlHnois National Guard, 1898. Becoming active in politics, he 
was a candidate for Governor, being one of the seven candi- 
dates in the famous deadlock convention of 1 904. Colonel 
Lowden was elected to Congress as a successor to Robert Rob- 
erts Hitt to fill out the unexpired term in the Fifty-ninth Con- 
gress. He served two full terms and voluntarily retired. 

In November, 1916, Mr. Lowden was elected Governor, 
and was inaugurated January 8, 1917. 

Although less than a year has elapsed since the inaugura- 
tion of Governor Lowden, much important legislation has been 
enacted through his influence. One of the most important 
of these was the consolidation of one hundred State Boards 
and Departments under the new Administrative Code. 

Governor Lowden was married April 29, 1896, in Chi- 
cago, to Miss Florence Pullman, daughter of George M. Pull- 
man. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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014 649 771 8 



